The 1938 Hupmobile 8 came from the final chapter of one of America’s independent automakers, giving it a distinct prewar character that appeals to collectors who appreciate uncommon Full Classic-era cars. On a vehicle like this, tire choice shapes both the stance and the driving feel as much as the visual finish. The primary fitment is a 650-16 bias-ply tire on a 16-inch rim. That opens the door to several period-style directions, including blackwall and wide whitewall designs across classic passenger and more utility-oriented tread series. The key is choosing a tire that suits the car’s intended presentation while confirming wheel compatibility before road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1938 Hupmobile 8
The 1938 Hupmobile 8 uses one primary tire size: 650-16. It is a bias-ply fitment for a 16-inch rim, and the same size is used on the covered Base sub-model. That means the main decision is not which primary size fits, but which 650-16 tire best matches the car’s appearance, wheel setup, and intended road use.
A 650-16 tire uses the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system, where 6.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches and 16 identifies the rim diameter. For a 1938 Hupmobile 8, this keeps the fitment in the prewar bias-ply format the car was designed around. Within this size, there is meaningful variety in brands, tire series, and sidewall presentation, including blackwall and wide whitewall choices. Selecting among them comes down to whether the car is being finished with a more formal restoration-oriented look, a traditional driver presentation, or a more utility-focused tread style.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1938 Hupmobile 8 covered here. The Base model uses the same primary tire size, so the focus stays on selecting the right 650-16 tire style and verifying the wheel setup rather than sorting through multiple fitment paths.
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1938 Hupmobile 8 Base
The 1938 Hupmobile 8 Base uses the 650-16 bias-ply tire size on a 16-inch rim. That keeps tire selection centered on appearance and intended use, whether the goal is a traditional blackwall, a wide whitewall for a more formal prewar look, or a tread style with a more specialized character.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1938 Hupmobile 8 Tires for Sale
Available 650-16 tires span BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, STA, Tornel, and Excelsior lines, with blackwall and wide whitewall choices across several classic bias-ply series. Some options also differ in rim-width specification, load rating, tread character, and utility-oriented versus restoration-style presentation.
Owners researching 1938 Hupmobile 8 tires usually need clarity on the 650-16 size, 16-inch rim fitment, bias-ply construction, sidewall appearance, and what to inspect before putting a prewar collector car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1938 Hupmobile 8?
The 1938 Hupmobile 8 uses a 650-16 tire. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply size mounted on a 16-inch rim, and the covered Base sub-model uses that same primary fitment.
That makes the main decision less about choosing between multiple primary sizes and more about selecting the right version of 650-16 for the car’s purpose. A restoration-minded owner may focus on blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, while a road-use buyer should also confirm the actual wheel width and overall wheel condition before mounting new tires.
What size rim does a 1938 Hupmobile 8 use?
The 1938 Hupmobile 8 uses a 16-inch rim with its 650-16 tire fitment. Product offerings in this size commonly align with wheel widths around 4.00 to 5.00 inches, depending on the tire series.
Rim diameter needs to match exactly, so a 16-inch tire belongs only on a 16-inch wheel. Width matters too, especially on an older collector car that may have had wheel changes over the years, so it is worth measuring the actual wheel before choosing among the available 650-16 tire options.
Does the 1938 Hupmobile 8 Base use the same tire size?
Yes. The 1938 Hupmobile 8 Base uses the same 650-16 bias-ply tire size as the core vehicle fitment shown here. There is no alternate primary tire size within the covered sub-model information.
That consistency simplifies shopping, but it does not eliminate the need to verify the car’s present setup. A Hupmobile that has been stored for years, restored, or fitted with different wheels still benefits from a quick check of wheel width, bead-seat condition, and fender or steering clearance before a new set goes into service.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 650-16 tire for a 1938 Hupmobile 8?
Start with the correct 650-16 size and 16-inch rim fitment, then narrow the choice by construction, intended appearance, and how the car will be used. Available options stay within bias-ply construction but vary in sidewall style, tread character, brand, and tire series.
A formal restoration-style car may call for a wide whitewall presentation, while a more understated driver may look better on blackwalls. It also helps to compare wheel-width requirements, load figures where given, and whether the tire is a passenger-style classic design or a more utility-oriented pattern that changes the car’s overall look.
What sidewall styles are available for 1938 Hupmobile 8 tires?
The 1938 Hupmobile 8 has 650-16 tire choices in both blackwall and wide whitewall styles. That gives owners two very different visual directions while staying within the correct vintage size and bias-ply construction.
Blackwalls tend to create a simpler, more restrained look, while wide whitewalls bring a more formal prewar presentation that many restorers prefer on late-1930s cars. Since sidewall style changes the car’s appearance so noticeably, it is smart to decide early whether the Hupmobile is being finished as a preservation car, a show car, or a driver.
What brands offer tires for the 1938 Hupmobile 8?
Available 650-16 tires for the 1938 Hupmobile 8 include BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, Firestone, Garfield, Lester, Goodyear, Excelsior, STA, and Tornel. Those brands appear across several classic bias-ply and more utility-oriented series.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the tire’s overall character rather than by name alone. On this car, the more useful comparison points are sidewall treatment, tread style, rim-width compatibility, and whether the tire suits a restoration-focused passenger-car look or a more specialized truck or military-style presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1938 Hupmobile 8?
A period-style 1938 Hupmobile 8 starts with the correct 650-16 bias-ply size and then moves to appearance. Classic passenger-car bias-ply tires in blackwall or wide whitewall form usually provide the most fitting visual starting point for a late-1930s American sedan or coupe.
The exact sidewall and brand choice depends on how authentic the restoration needs to be and how the car is being presented. When exact originality matters, marque history, period photos, and restoration documentation are worth consulting, because a tire can look right for the era without necessarily matching the way a particular Hupmobile left the dealership.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1938 Hupmobile 8?
On a restored 1938 Hupmobile 8, staying with the 650-16 bias-ply format preserves the traditional tire shape and stance associated with prewar cars. Construction influences the visual profile, the way the sidewall sits on the wheel, and the overall period impression.
Appearance is also shaped by sidewall treatment and tread style, not just by size alone. A blackwall gives the car a plainer, more reserved finish, while a wide whitewall adds a more upscale prewar look, so the best choice depends on whether the Hupmobile is being restored as a formal showpiece or a tasteful road car.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1938 Hupmobile 8?
Yes. Even though the primary size is 650-16, modifications can change whether a particular tire works well on the car. Wheel replacements, altered wheel width, brake updates, suspension work, or body and fender changes can all influence clearance and overall fitment.
That matters especially on a prewar car that may have changed hands many times. A Hupmobile with non-original wheels or suspension components should be checked for bead-seat size, wheel width, steering clearance, and any signs of rubbing before new tires are selected, mounted, and put into regular road service.
What should I inspect before driving a 1938 Hupmobile 8 on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for rust, cracks, distortion, and bead-seat condition, then confirm proper inflation and secure mounting. It is also smart to look over steering, suspension, and brake components, since fresh tires can reveal looseness or wear that old tires had been masking.
A collector car that has spent long periods parked deserves extra attention. Check for clearance at full steering lock, verify that the tires hold air consistently, and take the car on a short initial drive before planning longer trips, especially if the Hupmobile is returning to the road after storage or restoration.
How should 650-16 tires on a collector 1938 Hupmobile 8 be maintained?
Collector-car tires in 650-16 should be kept at appropriate operating pressure for the tire in use, inspected regularly for cracks, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and protected from long exposure to sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources. Even low-mileage bias-ply tires still age with time.
Consistent maintenance matters because a prewar Hupmobile may sit longer than a regularly driven car. Rolling the vehicle occasionally, avoiding flat-spotting during storage, and checking air pressure before every outing will do more for service life and road manners than simply looking at tread depth once a season.
